Rene Bourque recorded six hits in his return to the lineup against Washington after missing 21 games with a concussion.

KEYS TO VICTORY

With a playoff berth in sight, the Canadiens begin a two-game road trip with a Thursday night matchup against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center.

The Habs are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night in Montreal. Lars Eller recorded his fifth and sixth goals of the season for the Canadiens, as the Habs dropped their first game of the year to a southeast division opponent after besting the likes of Winnipeg, Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington a combined 11 straight times. With 55 points on the season, the Habs are fourth in the Eastern Conference, one point back of Boston for top spot in the northeast division.

Buffalo, meanwhile, had a three-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night with a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Sabres sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with 38 points, six points out of a playoff spot.

Thursday night’s tilt will be the fifth and final regular season meeting between the Canadiens and Sabres, with Buffalo having won the last three games over Montreal.

Thomas Vanek has recorded five goals in four games against the Canadiens this season.

Peter Budaj will make his eighth start of the season for the Canadiens on Thursday night in Buffalo. Budaj signed a two-year contract extension with the Habs on Wednesday.

Alex Galchenyuk has two goals and five points in his past four games, while Michael Ryder has four points in as many games. Brandon Prust also has two assists in his past two games.

Kevin Porter has four points in his last four games, while Steve Ott has three goals in his last four outings for Buffalo.

Absent for the the Sabres are forward Ville Leino and defenseman Alexander Sulzer, both of whom are sidelined due to injury.

Ryan Miller will get the start in goal for the Sabres.

"the question isn't whether we know if all of my lines are capable of contributing. they have to contribute. i'm doing everything in my power to ensure that everyone is doing their part."

- MICHEL THERRIEN

900

Number of career NHL games Jeff Halpern will have played once he steps onto the ice at First Niagara Center on Thursday night in Buffalo for the Habs-Sabres matchup.